Measuring image concerns

Jan Sonntag
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Emeric Henry

No 10831, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: It is now well documented that individuals, on average, change their behavior when their actions are observed by others. Yet, there is no systematic way of measuring this dimension of preferences at the individual level. In this paper, we propose a novel experimental game to measure the individual sensitivity to image concerns. We test it experimentally and provide several justifications for the validity of our measure. We find a large heterogeneity in the population: one third of the sample appears totally insensitive to perceptions by others, while one third appears strongly imaged concerned. Members of ethnic minorities seem to be more imaged concerned, in particular when observed by a member of other groups. We also show that more image concerned individuals tend to be less cooperative. Finally, we provide preliminary evidence suggesting that individuals do not only care about the absolute image they convey, but also about how far this image is from reality.

Keywords: Image concern; Social norm (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D03 D64 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Measuring image concern (2019)
Working Paper: Measuring Image Concern (2015)
Working Paper: Measuring Image Concern (2015)
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